Tuesday, January 26, 2010

I know that there are many of you out there who have given up on losing weight. You know what I’m talking about. That feeling deep inside that tells you that you will always be overweight. Once in a while you may make an attempt to change. You say things like “I’m really gonna try” or “I’ll do my best. That’s all I can do”. It doesn't sound like you believe.

That’s one part of your life that you don’t like to talk about because it reminds you of that sense of defeat. Or may be you talk about it everyday! You are constantly on a diet. People roll their eyes up when they hear about your latest attempt and they don’t even hide it from you anymore.

You are successful at work, have wonderful friends and a loving family but cannot conquer your inner self.

What motivates you to want to lose weight? Is it to be healthier? Is it to look good? Appear more attractive to potential partners? Maybe your family members are nagging you? Does your doctor bring it up in passing and try to guilt you into eating healthier and going to the gym?

I think the greatest motivation is to look in the mirror one day, not at the shape of your body but deep into your own eyes. Knowing that you have control over your mind and your body. After achieving what was seemingly insurmountable, you will feel like you can take on the world. No matter what it throws at you.

Motivation refers to the psychological forces or energies that impel a person towards a specific goal. Everything that we have mentioned so far falls under the category of extrinsic motivation. What that means is that we start to restrict our calories and physical exercise because we want to achieve weight loss and everything that we think will come with it, and not because we are particularly fond of eating healthier or going to the gym.

That’s a great way to start but as we move through this journey, we will explore ways to incorporate tools to achieve intrinsic motivation. We hope to be in a place that we derive satisfaction and enjoyment inherent in healthy living habits.

I am inviting you to start believing again.

I would like to introduce you to a recently started internet service. Someone described it once as a personal spa for the mind! At this time we will use it for its meditation and affirmation tools. Go to meisalus.com and click on inspirational videos. Under the weight loss tab watch and listen to some of the featured videos. Listen with headphones for full effect. Keep yourself motivated daily.

Remember! Until next time keep recording what you eat. It’s a crucial aspect of self monitoring.